This talk led by John Carney, Higher Executive Officer Tidy Towns Unit will give valuable insights into this year’s special awards.
Register here https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/tidy-towns-competition-special-awards-tickets-292306144547
The Artlinks partnership of local authorities Arts Offices in Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford is pleased to announce that it has awarded over €70,000 to artists in the South East.
These bursaries for emerging and professional artist is supported by the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon. They provide professional development opportunities and supports for artists who are resident in these four counties.
The recipients of €15,000 in bursaries from the Arts Office, Waterford City and County Council are:
The Arts Office, Waterford City & County Council reiterated it’s support for artists and remarked on the high level of entries from all art forms to this scheme. It thanked all who took the time to make applications and reminded artists that they could contact artlinks.ie@gmail.com to register for ArtLinks supports.
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The ArtLinks partners in Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford local authorities are pleased to announce that they are currently accepting applications for the ArtLinks Collaboration Bursary Award 2022. The aim of this award is to encourage more collaboration between artists across the ArtLinks counties and support artists seeking to expand their practice and networks regionally.
The Collaboration Award is open to application by Professional and Emerging Artists who are members of ArtLinks. For this bursary there will be one award of up to €10,000. The award must involve collaboration between artists from two or more ArtLinks counties in the development of new work, to be showcased in two or more ArtLinks counties.
Closing date: Tuesday 19th of April 2022
ArtLinks is a partnership of the four Local Authority Arts Offices in Wexford , Waterford, Carlow and Kilkenny , and is supported by the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon. ArtLinks provides professional development opportunities and supports for established and emerging artists who are resident in the four partner local authority areas of Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford.
Artists must be a current member of ArtLinks to avail of the Collaboration Bursary. You must be registered on or before 11/4/2022 to be eligible to apply for this bursary.
Email artlinks.ie@gmail.com to request a membership application form if you are a new applicant.
This year the application process is online and the closing date for receipt of ArtLinks Collaboration Bursary applications is Tuesday 19th April 2022 at 5pm.
For all ArtLinks enquiries please contact artlinks.ie@gmail.com
Follow ArtLinks on Facebook and Instagram for more information and updates.
The ArtLinks partners in Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford local authorities are pleased to announce that they are currently accepting applications for the ArtLinks Collaboration Bursary Award 2022. The aim of this award is to encourage more collaboration between artists across the ArtLinks counties and support artists seeking to expand their practice and networks regionally.
The Collaboration Award is open to application by Professional and Emerging Artists who are members of ArtLinks. For this bursary there will be one award of up to €10,000. The award must involve collaboration between artists from two or more ArtLinks counties in the development of new work, to be showcased in two or more ArtLinks counties.
Closing date: Tuesday 19th of April 2022
ArtLinks is a partnership of the four Local Authority Arts Offices in Wexford , Waterford, Carlow and Kilkenny , and is supported by the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon. ArtLinks provides professional development opportunities and supports for established and emerging artists who are resident in the four partner local authority areas of Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford.
Artists must be a current member of ArtLinks to avail of the Collaboration Bursary. You must be registered on or before 11/4/2022 to be eligible to apply for this bursary.
Email artlinks.ie@gmail.com to request a membership application form if you are a new applicant.
This year the application process is online and the closing date for receipt of ArtLinks Collaboration Bursary applications is Tuesday 19th April 2022 at 5pm.
For all ArtLinks enquiries please contact artlinks.ie@gmail.com
Follow ArtLinks on Facebook and Instagram for more information and updates.
Handy Hurleys from Ard Scoil na Mara in Tramore has won the Senior category of the Waterford Student Enterprise Programme and qualified for the National Student Enterprise Competition. Charlotte Balfe is the founder of Handy Hurleys, a convenient and cost-effective way to store hurleys in the home or club. The Tramore student was announced as the winner at the Local Enterprise Office’s Student Enterprise Programme Virtual Awards earlier this month.
Charlotte describes the business, “The idea was to make hurley stands that would be convenient and easy to use whilst not being bulky and in the way. I came up with the idea because I have played camogie my whole life and so have the rest of my family, therefore there are so many hurleys in my house. I tried to find a hurley stand that could hold all our hurleys without being bulky. I just couldn’t find one, so I decided to make my own. That’s how Handy Hurleys was born.”
The students all took part in the Waterford Final on Thursday March 10th which was held virtually and streamed live on the Local Enterprise Office’s Facebook page. An estimated nine hundred students from eleven schools through-out the county took part in the annual programme this academic year.
The enterprise education initiative, funded by the Government of Ireland through Enterprise Ireland and delivered by the 31 Local Enterprise Offices in local authorities throughout the country, saw over 29,000 students from just under 500 secondary schools across the country take part in 2019 / 2020. The programme supports students to create, design and market their own business, all with the hope of reaching the National Final.
Special guests at the County Final, hosted by FM104’s Trishauna Archer included his worship the Mayor Cllr Joe Kelly, Head of enterprise for Waterford Local Enterprise Office Richie Walsh, and special guest, Waterford native and Olympian Jessie Barr.
Speaking at the county final, Richie Walsh of Local Enterprise Office Waterford congratulated the students, “We have a very successful student enterprise programme here in Waterford, with over 750 students from 11 local schools taking part this year. We were delighted to receive more entries this year than any previous year of the programme.
“Our national finalists are excellent ambassadors for the programme, and we wish them the very best of luck in the finals and we’ll all be logged on to support them. In what has been another challenging year for students the programme has offered them an outlet outside of the usual school demands. What our students are learning from the programme is that with the right supports and encouragement, they can take an idea from the classroom and develop it into a real-life business. The skills they learn along the way, such as business planning, market research, selling and team-work, will help them become more entrepreneurial throughout their future careers.”
The Tramore student will be competing against other student entrepreneurs from all over Ireland in the Student Enterprise Programme National Final, which culminates in a live event taking place on May 18th, 2022. Further information about May’s National Finals is available through www.studententerprise.ie, which also has free resources and video tutorials for students and teachers for the programme.
For more information, please contact your Local Enterprise Office at 35 the Mall in Waterford City or Civic Offices in Dungarvan. Alternatively, you can email info@leo.waterfordcouncil.ie .
Photo by Noel Brown; Maria Malone, teacher at Ard Scoil na Mara; Charlotte Balfe Waterford Student Enterprise County Winner; Jacqui Gaule, Local Enterprise Office Waterford.
The ArtLinks partners in Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford local authorities are pleased to announce that they are currently accepting applications for the ArtLinks Collaboration Bursary Award 2022. The aim of this award is to encourage more collaboration between artists across the ArtLinks counties and support artists seeking to expand their practice and networks regionally.
The Collaboration Award is open to application by Professional and Emerging Artists who are members of ArtLinks. For this bursary there will be one award of up to €10,000. The award must involve collaboration between artists from two or more ArtLinks counties in the development of new work, to be showcased in two or more ArtLinks counties.
Closing date: Tuesday 19th of April 2022
ArtLinks is a partnership of the four Local Authority Arts Offices in Wexford , Waterford, Carlow and Kilkenny , and is supported by the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon. ArtLinks provides professional development opportunities and supports for established and emerging artists who are resident in the four partner local authority areas of Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford.
Artists must be a current member of ArtLinks to avail of the Collaboration Bursary. You must be registered on or before 11/4/2022 to be eligible to apply for this bursary.
Email artlinks.ie@gmail.com to request a membership application form if you are a new applicant.
This year the application process is online and the closing date for receipt of ArtLinks Collaboration Bursary applications is Tuesday 19th April 2022 at 5pm.
For all ArtLinks enquiries please contact artlinks.ie@gmail.com
Follow ArtLinks on Facebook and Instagram for more information and updates.
The Irish Georgian Society invites applications for its Architectural and Original Drawing Awards 2022 from all Irish architects and architectural practices, building surveyors, contractors, engineers and other professionals involved in the conservation of historic buildings on the island of Ireland.There will be two award categories: one for a conservation project and one for an original drawing (non-CAD) relating to an historic building or structure. Applications concerning historic buildings of all types, including vernacular, are welcome. Previously shortlisted projects include churches, civic structures, courtyards, houses both urban and rural. Applications must be received in the IGS offices by 12 noon on 29th April 2022. Details available on https://www.igs.ie
Photographs: Patrick Browne
2022 got off to a promising start as Waterford Greenway added to its trophy cabinet when the 46km walking and cycling trail was named as winner of the ‘Best Visitor Attraction’ in the Irish Independent 2022 Reader Travel Awards.
With tens of thousands of amenities, places and hospitality businesses nominated in fourteen categories, Irish Independent readers were particularly taken with Waterford Greenway.
Some of the Irish Independent’s readers comments included, “The surface is perfect,” and with coffee and lunch stops “for treats” along the way, and a super choice of places to eat, drink and stay in Waterford and Dungarvan and “It is always alive with people.” Locals as well as tourists were particularly forthcoming with their praise for Waterford Greenway, citing “It promotes exercise, social get-togethers of families and mental well-being through its safe routes” and “It soothes the soul.”
Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Joe Kelly was delighted to accept the award. “What’s particularly special about this award is that it was made on behalf of the Irish Independent readers who have visited Waterford Greenway. With their experiences so positive and their feedback so affirming, the Council’s Greenway team, local communities, and stakeholders can take great pride in what they have created in Waterford.”
Pól Ó Conghaile, Travel Editor Irish Independent said, “I look forward to the Irish Independent’s Reader Travel Awards because they provide us with priceless, real-world insights from holidaymakers on the ground. Tens of thousands of comments provide a fascinating picture of what people actually visit, and why – and not a marketing snapshot.”
“This year, it was no surprise to me to see the Waterford Greenway top the nominations for ‘Ireland’s Best Visitor Attraction’. It’s a super example of a route that has caught the imagination of both locals and visitors, created real tourism momentum, and inspired businesses both on and offline. In just a few short years, it has become a gold standard greenway.”
The old railway line from Waterford City to Dungarvan is a spectacular 46km off-road cycling and walking trail which travels through time and nature crossing eleven bridges, three impressive viaducts and an atmospheric tunnel.
The popular route in Ireland’s Ancient East is peppered with heritage, history and natural beauty as it runs alongside the world renowned ornamental gardens at Mount Congreve, Waterford & Suir Valley narrow gauge heritage railway, former woollen mills and railway stations and offers breathtaking views of the River Suir, the Comeragh Mountains, The Copper Coast and Dungarvan Bay.
No stranger to accolades, Waterford Greenway made an impact with Irish Independent readers in 2019 when it was named ‘Ireland’s Favourite Adventure’ in the Irish Independent Reader Travel Awards, while in 2021 it was awarded silver in the Excellence Category at the 10th European Greenways Award Ceremony. In 2020 Waterford Greenway was the first Irish Greenway to attain Green Flag status, which it retained in 2021.
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In what can only be described as a phenomenal start to the year for Waterford Greenway, today saw the popular Waterford trail named as winner of the ‘Ireland’s Best Visitor Attraction’ in the Irish Independent Reader Travel Awards 2022.
The old railway line from Waterford City to Dungarvan is a spectacular 46km off-road cycling and walking trail which travels through time and nature crossing eleven bridges, three impressive viaducts and an atmospheric tunnel.
The popular route in Ireland’s Ancient East is peppered with heritage, history and natural beauty as it runs alongside the world renowned ornamental gardens at Mount Congreve, Waterford Suir Valley Railway, former woollen mills and railway stations and offers breathtaking views of the River Suir, the Comeragh Mountains, The Copper Coast UNESCO Global Geopark, and Dungarvan Bay.
Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Joe Kelly was delighted with Waterford Greenway’s latest accolade, “It’s fantastic that Waterford Greenway has been chosen by the Irish Independents’ readers as Ireland’s Best Visitor attraction.”
“It’s a much loved amenity here in Waterford and the South East, but it is wonderful to see how much an impression Waterford Greenway has made throughout the country. It is a visitor attraction that has grown and developed due to the dedication, vision and commitment of Waterford City and County Council’s Greenway team, the local communities and stakeholders.”
Some of the Irish Independent’s readers comments included, “The surface is perfect,” and with coffee and lunch stops “for treats” along the way, and a super choice of places to eat, drink and stay in Waterford and Dungarvan. “It is always alive with people.” And those people are not just tourists: “It promotes exercise, social get-togethers of families and mental well-being through its safe routes” and “It soothes the soul.”
Michael Walsh, Chief Executive, Waterford City and County Council added, “Waterford Greenway has been transformative for the county. It’s not just locals who are benefitting, but as evidenced by this award, visitors from right throughout the country.”
Johnny Brunnock, Trails Officer, Waterford City and County Council added that the combined efforts of locals and the business community had helped to create a fantastic amenity that the county can be very proud of. “It’s been a tough two years for everybody, but amenities like Waterford Greenway give people the opportunity to get out and about, and stay connected, and all the while taking in some of the most breath-taking scenery that the county has to offer.”
No stranger to accolades, Waterford Greenway made an impact with Irish Independent readers in 2019 when it was named ‘Ireland’s Favourite Adventure’ in the Irish Independent Reader Travel Awards, while in 2021 it was awarded silver in the Excellence Category at the 10th European Greenways Award Ceremony. In 2020 Waterford Greenway was the first Irish Greenway to attain Green Flag status, which it retained in 2021.
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Notes:
Ireland’s Best Visitor Attraction is one of over a dozen categories in the Irish Independent Reader Travel Awards for 2022.
Secondary schools throughout Waterford and Tramore recently took part in a litter challenge to help make Waterford a cleaner city. Nine secondary schools took part in the challenge and De La Salle College was the overall winner of the prize of €1,500, sponsored by Tom Murphy Car Sales Volkswagen.
As part of the Tom Murphy Car Sales Volkswagen – Waterford City and County Council – Schools Litter Challenge, students carried out regular litter picking, identifying black spots for litter in their area, learning about the sources of litter, and about the benefits of using reusable items instead of single use items. Throughout the programme students identified that wrappers, disposable masks and cigarette butts are the most common types of litter.
The students at De La Salle College carried out twice weekly clean ups of the streets around their school and Poleberry. They created videos highlighting attitudes towards litter, tackled black spots they had identified and fostered a sense of ownership of the area over the course of the competition.
Ella Ryan, Environmental Awareness Officer with Waterford City and County Council commented, “The nine secondary schools taking part in this challenge really enjoyed getting out in their local community and helping to make it a cleaner neighbourhood. We had an incredibly tough decision to make when it came to choosing a winner due to the level of work invested in this by all the schools involved. However, the students at De La Salle College went above and beyond what we could have expected to win this challenge. I’d also like to take the opportunity to thank Tom Murphy of Tom Murphy Car Sales for their continuing support of this great initiative that helps develop a sense of pride and ownership in our communities.”
Congratulations to the Transition Years at De La Salle College and their teachers Eoin Tallon and Claire Ryan for driving the project in the school.
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Contestants battled it out in the annual Europe Direct Waterford Soapbox regional heat, each speaking for three minutes on this years’ timely topic “Lies, damned lies and statistics – establishing the truth is impossible in today’s world of misinformation, disinformation and propaganda”.
A three strong judging panel had the difficult task of selecting the two winners Ross Anderson from Dungarvan CBS in the 16 & under category and Shane Burke also from Dungarvan CBS in the 17 & over category.
Both finalists will represent Europe Direct Waterford in the National Soapbox final, taking place on the 9th of December. Our regional winners will each receive an iPad and then be in with a chance of winning the overall prize of €1000.
Organiser Breda O’Shea from Europe Direct Waterford said: “the standard was very high this year with all contestants submitting their video entries online, both were very worthy winners. We wish Ross and Shane all the best as they progress to represent us in the National final next month. Congratulations too to Rachel Harries from St. Leo’s College, Carlow and Daniel Fleming who were runners up.”
Head Judge Crista de Brún congratulated the winners, adding: “The Europe Direct Soapbox Competition is a wonderful opportunity to develop oracy skills and participate in a vibrant culture of learning. The research and enthusiasm was evident in the range of responses received and it made the judging a very challenging and enjoyable process. The standard of entries this year was very high, and on behalf of the judging panel I would like to congratulate all entrants on their effort, engagement and initiative.”
Other judges were, Sandra Kelly Garter Lane Arts Centre and Jim Lenane, Waterford City & County Council.
Entries from all seven Europe Direct Centres throughout Ireland will be reviewed by a national panel of judges and The National final will be streamed on the Libraries Ireland YouTube channel at 11.30am on Thursday, 9th December 2021. All regional winning entries will be played and the National winner will be announced live on the day.
The National Soapbox competition is run through seven Europe Direct Centres based in public libraries throughout Ireland and is an initiative of the European Commission Representation in Ireland. The Soapbox Final always showcases a unique mix of generations on the topic and reminds us that debate and discussion remain at the heart of European democracy.
Europe Direct Waterford is part of a community of 424 Europe Direct centres around Europe. Their purpose is to reinforce the important connection between the EU institutions and citizens, providing timely and factual information on European matter and events while coordinating with other EU networks in the region to ensure easier local access to information for citizens, organisations and businesses. Europe Direct Waterford is run from Central Library in Waterford City.
You can watch the Europe Direct Waterford Regional winner’s videos at: https://youtu.be/LbvqqwdMMOU
Entries are now being accepted for the 2021 Waterford Business Awards. The awards are designed to recognize excellence in business across Waterford City & County and are organized by Waterford Chamber, in collaboration with Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber, with support from Waterford City & County Council and WLR.
Launching the awards, Waterford Chamber President, John McSweeney said, “We are now entering year eight of the Waterford Business Awards and what better a time to share some positivity and promote our local businesses.
“While last year’s awards were hugely successful online, we have everything crossed that we will be in a position to celebrate in person at our Gala Awards night in early March. A celebration of the resilience of the business community is certainly long overdue and there are a lot of companies out there who are due firm recognition. We have introduced new categories this year and are confident there is something for everyone, so we are appealing to businesses to take time to reflect on the past year, be proud and acknowledge the hard work they have done by entering the awards.”
Managing Director of WLR FM Des Whelan added: “WLR FM is delighted to partner with Waterford Chamber, Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber, along with Waterford Council on the 2021 Business Awards initiative. I think it’s more important than ever to recognize excellence in local business and industry. It’s been a hugely disruptive eighteen months for business in Waterford and the awards are a very positive spotlight on the innovation and entrepreneurship we have in the City and County”.
The full list of categories is as follows:
The judging panel, which is chaired by Noel Kelly, will also select the coveted Overall Business of the Year, which is sponsored by Waterford City & County Council.
Waterford Chamber welcomes applications from all businesses located in Waterford City and County, both members and non-members. You can enter the Waterford Business Awards through Waterford Chamber’s website www.waterfordchamber.ie, where you will also find a full criteria outline on each category.
The closing date for nominations and applications for the Waterford Business Awards is Friday, 26th November 2021.
This prestigious award ceremony, which is organised annually by the European Greenways Association, recognises best integration of characteristics that define a greenway and the strengths that make them exemplary amenities.
Present at the ceremony were Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Joe Kelly and Richie Walsh, Waterford Local Enterprise Office who travelled to Valencia for an International Conference on Greenways, Mobility, Leisure and Tourism.
Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Joe Kelly was delighted with how highly Waterford Greenway was regarded by the judging panel. “To be recognised in the Excellence category is a wonderful honour and is a reflection of the reputation for quality and the wonderful visitor experience that is Waterford Greenway. It is a credit to all those who have made it happen over these past few years and I know they can be very proud of their hard work and dedication that have helped make Waterford Greenway one of the best in Europe.”
Michael Walsh, Chief Executive Waterford City and County Council also congratulated the Waterford Greenway team on the award saying, “It’s testament to vision of the Council’s Greenway team that developed and manage this wonderful amenity. Great credit must also go to the local communities, stakeholders and other state agencies that have helped create something unique in Waterford.”
Johnny Brunnock, Trails Officer, Waterford City and County Council added that the combined efforts of locals and the business community had helped to create a publically accessible amenity that the county can be very proud of. Mr. Brunnock went onto add that ‘the value of Waterford Greenway was particularly apparent as we have navigated our way through the challenges presented by the pandemic.’
Fiona Monaghan, Head of Product Development – Activities at Fáilte Ireland said, “The Waterford Greenway is a best-in-class example of how infrastructure and orientation can create outstanding experiences for domestic and international visitors that can benefit the local community. The Waterford Greenway has proven to be a great amenity for visitors and we are pleased that it has been awarded second place in the Excellence Category at the prestigious European Greenways Awards. I would like to congratulate our partners at Waterford City and County Council on their hard work in developing this wonderful amenity.”
Established in 2003, the biennial European Greenways Award is presented to greenways that stand out for their excellence and demonstration of best practice. Another objective of the Awards is to support the replication of the best practices on other greenways all over Europe. The European Greenways Awards are only granted to greenways under the Lille Declaration, as well as to initiatives already in existence.
For more detail on Waterford Greenway check out: www.visitwaterfordgreenway.com
For more detail on the European Greenway Association check out: https://www.aevv-egwa.org/
In June The Irish Times launched its search for the Best Place to Live in Ireland and was today revealed that Waterford has been chosen as the overall winner.
Members of the public were invited to nominate their favourite place to live and over six weeks more than 2,400 entries for 470 locations were received. After being shortlisted in the Top five, a panel of judges visited Waterford, along with Clonakilty in Co Cork, Galway city, Glaslough in Co Monaghan and Killarney in Co Kerry.
Each place was judged on broad criteria including natural amenities, buildings, community initiatives and spirit, presence of clubs and societies, good local services, transport links, employment opportunities, diversity, the price of property and housing supply, and cost of living.
Michael Walsh, Waterford City and County Council Chief Executive said, “This is a great achievement for Waterford. It’s testament to the great business and community spirit and pride in the city. Waterford has so much to offer on so many levels. As Ireland’s Oldest City, it’s steeped in history and heritage and our natural amenities are exceptional and accessible. We have burgeoning pharma, life sciences, entrepreneurial and IT sectors with a great talent pool emanating from WIT.”
Mr. Walsh added, “I think our original nominator Micheál O’Foghlu really encapsulated what Waterford is about when he pitched Waterford as hitting ‘the sweet spot for size, not too small, not too big. Most amenities, from shopping to cliff walks are within 15 minutes of the city.’
